One-year outcomes of the Polish treatment program for the wet form of age-related macular degeneration using intravitreal therapy

Abstract

Purpose: To report 12-month outcomes of a Polish National Treatment Program using aflibercept and ranibizumab in eyes with wet, age-related macular degeneration in routine clinical practice. Material and Methods: This was a non-randomized, retrospective, observational multicenter study. Anonymous data contained in the electronic Therapeutic Program Monitoring System were utilized in this study. Results: The study population consisted of 2828 eyes from 2718 patients. The median age was 76.0 [70.0, 81.0] years; 61.7% were female. Best corrected visual acuity increased from 58.86 [50.05, 69.95] letters to 65.1 [50.1, 73.9] letters (p < 0.001). The median change in best corrected visual acuity was 0.0 [−4.0, 12.2] letters: 2.9 [−2.9, 15.1] letters for treatment-naïve eyes and 0.0 [−4.0, 8.8] letters for those continuing treatment (p < 0.001). The median central retinal thickness was significantly reduced from 341.0 [281.0, 422.0] to 275.0 [221.0, 344.0] μm (p < 0.001). The median number of visits was 9.0 [8.0, 9.0]. The median number of injections was 7.0 [6.0, 8.0]: 8.0 [7.0, 8.0] for treatment-naïve eyes and 6.0 [5.0, 7.0] for those continuing treatment (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Eyes treated as part of the Polish therapeutic program gained functional stability and morphological improvement. Treatment-naïve eyes showed the greatest functional benefit.

Evaluation of Aqueous Flare Intensity in Eyes Undergoing Intravitreal Bevacizumab Therapy to Treat Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

“…Till November 2015 (our study was concluded in September 2015) treatment of patients with wet AMD has been an epidemiological and economical problem in Poland. Since that date special treatment program financed from public funds started and the situation slowly improved (Figurska et al, 2020). Mekjavic et al have provided a comprehensive overview of the clinical and economic burden of wet-AMD and DME in Central and Eastern Europe and the status quo associated with their management (Jaki Mekjavic et al, 2019).…”

A Comparative Study of Ranibizumab and Aflibercept for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: 12-Month Outcomes of Polish Therapeutic Program in Non-Tertiary Institution

“…In addition, these eyes might receive less injections. According to recommendations of the drug program [ 6 ]. ranibizumab was administered in PRN scheme.…”

“…Anonymous data were collected from the drug program dedicated electronic database. Therapeutic Program Monitoring System (TPMS) is central database, supervised by NHF utilized to monitor execution of the therapeutic program [ 6 ]. TPMS records from December 2015 to December 2020 were analyzed.…”

“…Cut-off values were at the discretion of physician and not known to the authors. All eyes were treated with fixed regimen, according to the “Treatment of neovascular form of age-related macular degeneration” National Health Found program guidelines [ 6 ].…”

“…Ranibizumab was given again, when active neovascularization recurred, and functional parameters worsened. Switch from ranibizumab to aflibercept and vice versa was permitted under the conditions described in the program guidelines [ 6 ]. However, patients which drug was switched during 12 months of therapy were excluded from the analysis.…”